"Crescent Cove, a small hamlet on Vancouver Island, is the last place out-of-work investigative journalist Luke Tremblay ever wanted to see again. He used to spend summers here, until his family learned that he was gay and rejected him. Now, following his aunt's sudden death, he's inherited her entire estate, including her seaside cottage and the antiques shop she ran for forty years in Crescent Cove. Luke plans to sell everything and head back to Toronto as soon as he can...but Crescent Cove isn't done with him just yet. ...
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"Crescent Cove, a small hamlet on Vancouver Island, is the last place out-of-work investigative journalist Luke Tremblay ever wanted to see again. He used to spend summers here, until his family learned that he was gay and rejected him. Now, following his aunt's sudden death, he's inherited her entire estate, including her seaside cottage and the antiques shop she ran for forty years in Crescent Cove. Luke plans to sell everything and head back to Toronto as soon as he can...but Crescent Cove isn't done with him just yet. When a stranger starts making wild claims about Luke's aunt, Luke sends him packing. The next morning, though, Luke discovers that the stranger has returned, and now he's lying dead in the back garden. To make matters worse, the officer leading the investigation is a handsome Mountie with a chip on his shoulder who seems convinced that Luke is the culprit. If he wants to prove his innocence and leave this town once and for all, Luke will have to use all his skills as a journalist to investigate the colorful locals while coming to terms with his own painful past. There are secrets buried in Crescent Cove, and the more Luke digs, the more he fears they might change the town forever"--
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Add this copy of The Body in the Back Garden to cart. $8.34, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2023 by Crooked Lane Books.
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The Body in the Back Garden by Mark Waddell is the debut of A Crescent Cove Mysteries. The cover is what drew me to this book (love the shoes sticking out of the garden). Luke Tremblay is a bland main character. Several of the side characters outshone him (like Barnabus). The story is written in the first person which means we are subject to Luke�s every thought (repetitive details and the ogling of Sgt. Jack Munro). I thought Luke would question more facts especially considering his profession as an investigative journalist. I also felt he should have learned more about his inheritance from the lawyer. An example is that he did not know that his aunt had an employee who happens to live in the apartment above the antique shop. I know his name was added to the deed of both buildings so he did not have to wait for probate, but I do not believe it applies to the contents. I was curious how he could sell the buildings when the contents had yet to be inventoried. I enjoyed the descriptions of Cresent Cove. I would love to own the cottage Luke inherited from his aunt (I would love to spend days in her library). I was not a fan of the judgmental attitudes of most of the townspeople. There was a diverse cast of characters. I liked Barnabus Delacruz�s unique style of dress. Unfortunately, the town was not always open to those who were different (smart, unique hair color, clothing choices) or who are LGBTQIA. The mystery was simplistic. I was able to identify the guilty party early in the book. One detail had me on this person�s trail and another fact clenched it for me. There are a handful of suspects. For an investigative journalist, I felt Luke�s sleuthing skills were subpar. Details regarding the crime are repeated throughout the story. I was surprised at the mistakes Luke made during the investigation (it would have a defense attorney chuckling with glee). The whodunit is neatly wrapped up at the end of a long reveal. At times, The Body in the Back Garden felt like a romance instead of a cozy mystery. I thought it was a little soon for Luke to be on the market. Luke reconnected with a childhood friend who has turned into quite a striking Mountie (Royal Canadian Mountain Police). I would have preferred less romance and more complex mystery. Overall, The Body in the Back Garden was an okay story. Do I wish to read the next book in the series? While I like the rare cozy mystery setting, this series is not for me. The Body in the Back Garden transports readers to Vancouver Island where there is a vile victim, a handsome Mountie, a bevy of boxes, gorgeous gardens, a loaded library, intimidation demands, and rampant rumormongers.
Lori
Aug 19, 2023
Engaging Characters
Dollycas's Thoughts
Former investigative journalist Luke Tremblay has returned to Vancouver Island following the death of his aunt. He used to spend summers with her until his family found out he was gay and turned their backs on him. He can't believe she left him her seaside cottage and the antique shop she has owned for 40 years. He had no intention to return to Crescent Cove so now all he wants to do is sell all her properties and belongings as quickly as possible and return to what's left of his life in Toronto.
Then a stranger comes to his aunt's door claiming her had purchased something from her before her death and he wants it now. With no idea what he is talking about and him without any kind of receipt Luke roughly sends him away.
The next morning he finds the stranger dead in his aunt's back garden. When the authorities arrive the lead officer appears to think Luke is his prime suspect. It isn't until Luke goes to the station for questioning that he learns he has a past with the handsome Mountie. The man in front of him was his best friend whenever he came to visit his aunt all those years ago. A man who was really hurt when Luke stopped coming to Crescent Cove. But that old friendship doesn't get Luke off the hook. If he ever wants to get back to Toronto he is going to have to tap into his investigative skills and clear his name on his own. The small town has plenty of secrets. Secrets that may explain his aunt's death and why a man ended up dead in her back garden.
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I enjoyed meeting Luke. I really felt bad for him, the way his family treated him and for the way his relationship with his aunt came apart. The fact that she died before they could reconnect was heartbreaking. We also see it not only affected them but his friend Jack. I know she was trying to make amends by leaving him her entire estate and that it would bring him back to a now more open-thinking Crescent Cove but I wish they could have been closer before she was killed. She meant so much to him and clearly him to her.
I am happy that Luke and Jack reconnected and that their best sleuthing moments were when they worked together. Their interactions and flirtations were so true and at times very funny. As you can see, these characters felt so genuine that they found a place in my heart pretty quickly.
The setting of Vancouver Island was new to me but Mr. Waddell's descriptions painted wonderful pictures in my mind. The cover is also beautiful and gave me some cozy feelings before I started to even read the story.
The mystery was pretty straightforward and I was able to hone in on the killer much earlier than Jack and Luke but that did not hinder my enjoyment of the story at all. Tagging along with Luke and Jack was very entertaining. Following the clues, and looking for a key item, along with the secrets that sent the whole book into motion were so interesting. The reveal was exciting and emotional.
The Body in the Back Garden is a well-written "queer cozy mystery" with engaging characters and a compelling mystery, set in a charming small town on an island that in real life is now one of the areas plagued with wildfires. It is a place a would love to visit someday but for now, I will settle for another trip there via the next book in this series. I am very curious to see what he has planned for Luke, Jack, and the rest of the residents of Crescent Cove.
